How to start your blog

One of the class requirements is to start a blog. Don’t let the word “blog” scare you — a blog is just a Web site that is easy to update.

Please remember that these blogs are publicly viewable on the Internet.  You may wish to use an alias when creating your account, and post any personal stories as if they happened to a “friend” in order to retain anonymity.

Note: there is no word minimum for your first blog post.  This is just so you can get a feel for what it’s like.  Subsequent blog postings must be 250 words minimum.

We will be using wordpress.com for your blog. Signing up for this blog will be easy; I’m providing the directions below. If you have any problems or questions, just let me know.

1. Go to wordpress.com and click on the big “Sign Up Now!” button.

2. On the signup page, just fill out the fields. It only will take a couple of minutes.

• username (I suggest keeping this somewhat anonymous; maybe your initials and birthdate, or a nickname. You don’t need to use your last name – after all, this will be searchable on the Internet.)
• password (enter it, then again to confirm)
• your email address
• Check the box next to “I have read and agree to the fascinating terms of service.”
• Keep the option “Gimme a blog!” (You’ll want more than just a username.)
• Then click the “Next >>” button.
• On the next page, choose your blog domain. (Please note: This is the Web address/URL you will email me!!!) The class blog is wostprof.wordpress.com; you might use km1011.wordpress.com or soccerfan.wordpress.com…
• Then choose a blog title – This will show up at the top of your blog.  You can use your first name: Kim’s blog
• Select your language.
• For privacy, you may want to remove this checkmark to make your blog less widely publicized, though it will still be publicly available on the Internet.
• Now click the “Create Blog >>” button.

3. An email from “WordPress.com” <support@wordpress.com> will be sent to your email address.

4. You can now log in at wordpress.com – just enter your username and password there (right under the big “Sign Up Now” button). This is how you’ll get back later to log into your blog.

Hey – you just created a blog! Now here’s how to use it….

5. Once you are logged in, you will create your first blog post. Click on “New Post”.

You’ll need to enter a title — please use “Blog 1″ for this, and “Blog 2″ for the next, etc.   Then simply type a little bit .

Your first blog post can be as simple as “I am just testing my new blog.”  Your blog posts in the future will be 250 words minimum.

You don’t need to do anything else (don’t worry about tags, categories, etc.).

6. After you’ve finished your first post, click on “Publish” and that’s it! Click on “View Site >>” at the very top of the page to see what you’ve just created!

You need to email me your blog address (also called domain, URL, etc.) by the due date. (Remember the domain you chose? You selected it at signup: for example, km1011.wordpress.com or soccerfan.wordpress.com) I will then post a link to all students’ blogs on the side of the class blog.  Your blog must also have your first Blog 1 (test post) published.

Your weekly blog posts and replies will be due each Thursday evening; the same night your weekly replies are due on the Blackboard discussion boards.  There is further instruction about requirements  for future blog postings.

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